For Rent 3/3 Plus Buhardilla House with Yard in a GREAT Location $400!

This home is just 1 block from Monay Shopping Mall and bus line.                


            





We're an Expat Family of Five Living Frugal, Healthy and Happy in Cuenca Ecuador! Enjoy our blog!

New, Bright, 3/2 Apartment with Great Views of the City - $250!

THIS APARTMENT IS RENTED! This brand new 2nd floor apartment (no elevator) (never been lived in) is located in great area of  Cuenca with some spectacular views.



Walk to downtown in less than 10 minutes, or walk to bus line one block away on totally paved roads. This darling apartment has some of the best views of the city!



This apartment is bright and cheerful and has many windows which is a plus with Cuenca homes and apartments.



The owners live in the building downstairs. It is a peaceful and beautiful neighborhood! If interested contact us asap!



                               

Remodeled 3-Bedroom Home in a Gated Community for $280!

THIS HOME HAS RENTED! Where in the world are you going to find a nicely remodeled 3-bedroom 2-bath home for $280? At $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals of course!

This home is situated in a safe, gated community right next door to the landlord. This situation works out great for those folks who want to leave their home for vacations and travel. Located off of Don Bosco and just feet away from two bus lines! Can't beat that!     

Contact us here!    

                                             

Spacious New 4/3 House for Rent in Excellent Area of Cuenca!

RENTED! What is so neat about this house? You can walk down the road one block and hop on a bus and be at Coral Centro in 5 minutes! The home has front and back garden space.



This nice home is located in a great location on the way to Banos. The home is brand new and never been lived in! The downstairs has nice ceramic tiles, while the upstairs has beautiful hardwood floors throughout. The open floor plan gives a spacious feel and is a rare find in many of the homes in Cuenca.  Contact us here.



               

Nice 4/4 Cuenca Condo by the River for $350!

This condo has a lot going for it besides the great price. It's located in a gated complex with other homes in a super peaceful area on the east side of the city. It is quiet with clean fresh air! The condo is almost new. The walk to the bus is a nice walk along the river, about 6 blocks away. You have the river right across the street and its all yours!!  Contact us here about this condo. Great value for this home in a excellent area of the city.



           

NEW Furnished 2/3 Town Home with Terazza for $400!

This NICE and New Town Home includes utilities! It is situated in a secure gated complex with two other homes. Plus it is just 1-1/2 blocks from the Macharanga River! It is 4 short blocks to the bus line and a 5 to 8 minute bus ride to the Monay Mall and Coral Grocery store. The home has 2 furnished bedrooms, plus an unfurnished bonus room. It has 3 bathrooms. The home has a washer and dryer situated under a completely covered sky-lighted laundry room. The home is Internet ready which is $50 a month.  Contact us here if you are interested in this home. RENTED!



          

Furnished 2-Bedroom Apartment in Excellent Location!

RENTED! - Here's a furnished 2-bedroom and 2-bathroom apartment in an extremely well located area. It is just a five to eight minute walk to El Centro and a ten to fifteen minute walk to Supermaxi on Las Americas. Or if you'd rather,  you can walk one block to Grand Columbia, catch a bus and ride to Supermaxi in five minutes!



This 2nd floor apartment has everything you will need to just move in and start enjoying your life in Cuenca!  It INCLUDES all utilities, cable TV, and Internet!! The senorita in the same building said she will do your laundry for you!!     The rental price is $430 but a year lease is $400! 



              

Fantastic 4-Bed 4-Bath Home, Asking $380 and it's Negotiable!!

This home is in superb condition with beautiful hardwood floors. It  even has a working fireplace for those chilly Cuenca mornings. Best thing is it is only a block from three bus lines, yet tucked far enough back from the noise and traffic!! Great neighborhood with small grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, ice cream shops and more! We don't think this one will be on the market long.

 Asking $380 but is negotiable - make offer!  You know how to reach us!

                                   

Should You Rent an Apartment or a House in Cuenca? Is One Safer than the Other?

Should you rent an apartment or a house when you move to Cuenca? It really just depends on your personal preference and needs, Below we outline some issues that may make sense to some people.
 

Some retirees find it challenging to climb stairs, which most houses in Cuenca are constructed with two stories and sometimes three stories. A lot of the apartment buildings in Ecuadorian neighborhoods are also built without elevators in contrast to the condo buildings marketed to foreigners, which will have elevators.
 

However, it has been our experience that apartment units with elevators and 24-hour security have more expensive rents, plus on top of that there are maintenance fees that need to be paid each month which also tend to be higher in the gringo occupied buildings, or wherever gringos are present.
 

Is 24-Hour Security Guard Necessary in Cuenca?
 

Many new-comers to Cuenca think it is a good idea to rent a condo with a 24 hour security guard and this may be necessary for some people. After all, some people may not be accustomed to taking responsibility for their safety.  What does that mean?  It means that some people think nothing of doing things that are unsafe in and of themselves, especially in a third world country, such as:
 

Opening the door to strangers. There are many instances of people becoming victims of crime just because they opened the door to someone they had never had a previous contact with before.
 

Answering the ringer every time a stranger calls or rings your doorbell.  Sometimes we think it’s OK to answer the ringer and see what the stranger wants, not realizing that we are communicating subtle bits of information that could harm us later.  Such as: the fact that we may not speak Spanish communicates that we are a foreigner.  And, letting people know we’re home, and then it becomes obvious when we’re not home, etc,etc.



Appearing well off.  Some people just don’t want to be bothered with the idea of keeping a visual low profile.  Expensive cars in the yard, high profile looking jewelry and/or clothing, hairstyles, etc.
 

Non conservative habits.  Some people don’t want to make the effort to change their schedules, such as not going out at night, or just after dark, not going out during problematic holidays, being visibly intoxicated, etc. 



If this sounds like you, you’re probably better off in a 24hr security complex.  But is it really necessary?
 

Well, for the short term traveler (1-6 months) you can’t beat the convenience of a turnkey condo building. However, if you’re a more long term sojourner in Ecuador, consider that being in a 24 hrs security condo building is not a panacea to your safety. It may actually give one a false sense of security.  How?  By making one feel that they don’t need to take any personal responsibility for their personal safety.   Thinking such as:  “I’m in a security building, therefore I’m secure”. Consider the expat lady that was stabbed in broad daylight while walking by the river.
 

All homes in Cuenca have tall gated walls, and some of the homes have the electrical wire on top of that and almost all recently built homes have an alarm system.
 

Cuenca has some petty crime but armed robberies and home invasions (while you are in your home) happen but are not as common here.  In cases where they do happen, reportedly the above listed scenarios were prevalent.  There is some violent crime in Cuenca Ecuador, but the chances of it affecting you are low if you don’t engage in behaviors outlined above.

          




Update 2015: Cuenca is seeing an up rise in home invasions and robberies and we now totally recommend electric fencing for the foreigner.



Living in a typical Ecuadorian house like your next door neighbor, with tall barred gate, alarm system, electric fencing, etc can be just as safe as if you had a guard around the clock. A recurring theme on this subject is:  IT’S UP TO YOU.  When you leave your home to go shopping and do other errands it is wise to make sure you turn your alarm on.   Therefore it follows that taking more responsibility for your overall awareness and safety goes a long way.
 

What Cuenca Neighborhood Should I Live In?
 

WE often get asked about where the good neighborhoods of Cuenca are. And our response is always the same.  All areas of Cuenca can be fairly safe areas. It really does not matter what area of Cuenca you rent a home in, generally speaking, except for areas outlined in our DIY Cuenca Landing Guide, and other crime and safety articles on this website, as long as you take certain precautions you will be just as safe and secure as your Ecuadorian neighbors.
 

It is to your advantage to introduce yourself to your new neighbors. What this means for you is added security because your Ecuadorian neighbors will watch out for your home when you leave it. But only if they like you, and aren’t generally envious of your North American superiority.  Clearly, a little Spanish goes a long way.
 

Some expats that we have helped, such as Alice from Ohio, live right next door to the Landlord. This is the way it is with many of the rentals in Cuenca. It makes it VERY convenient come time to pay the rent, and it is reassuring to know that someone is watching out for your home while you travel or visit family back in the states.
 

More Objective Reasons to Rent an Apartment/Condo
 

1.    Cannot manage stairs or do not want to manage stairs
2.    Need to have an elevator for health reasons
3.    You do not want to take care of a house and a yard
4.    It makes you feel safer to be in a condo with a guard on duty, ahem…
5.    You will be traveling often
 

Elderly expats may have more reasons on their checklist for wanting to rent a unit in a condo building, however you will have maintenance fees and the condos marketed to expats in Cuenca are about 20% to 50% higher than renting a house.
 

Why You Would Want to Rent a House
 

1.    You have a dog or cat that needs a yard
2.    You want to grow a garden
3.    You have small children that need a yard
4.    You like having an outside area for playing lawn games and barbecuing
5.    You get claustrophobic in a condo
6.    You do not like heights
 

Clearly there are advantages and disadvantages to renting either an apartment or house depending on a person’s specific needs and wants.  The main advantage to renting an apartment is usually, but not always, the living space is all on one floor.
 

This situation would be advantageous to those folks who have trouble walking up steps.  The main advantage to renting a house is they usually, but not always, have a green space for animals; even if that green space is postage stamp small it still comes in handy for the pet owner who does not feel like walking their doggie.
 

The main disadvantage to renting a condo with elevator and around the clock security guard is they are pricier, but if this is what you require to make your life easier and happier then by all means, rent a condo unit.
 

As we remarked earlier in this post, the real disadvantage to renting a house vs. a condo for some is there will most-likely be a flight of stairs, or sometimes two flights of stairs to climb, depending on the size of the home.
 

Clearly, home renting is a good idea for those expats with pets, and or bigger families and for those who like to garden. However, some condos do have balconies and or patios for potted plants.
 

The bottom line is, if you choose a home, be sure to be wise and mimic your neighbors.  Do they have dogs?  Then get a guard dog.  Do they have electric wire fencing?  Then you get one too…you get the point…
 

I myself could never live in a condo, as they feel like a high end jail cell and in almost all cases are surely overpriced to the local rental market.  But hey, as I get more gray hairs, I might change my mind…but even if I did, which is not likely, I’d be bargaining like a bulldog…

3 Bedroom, Plus Study for $220 Cuenca Ecuador

Value is certainly here with this one. This is not a super large home, but it is a well-kept cute place just waiting for the couple or small family to make it their home. Pets are allowed with this home. This home does not need to be painted or have light fixtures installed like most homes in this price range...its perfecto and ready to go, waiting for your furniture and decorating touches. It is situated just a few meters from the bus in a quiet and nice area. To see more photos of this home and to contact us, go to $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals.  

THIS HOME HAS RENTED

               

Cuenca Rental: Great 5-Bedroom House with VIEWS for $350

 This home has been rented!



We specialize in finding great unfurnished rentals at a great price in Cuenca and here is one such find. This is a large home just waiting for a family or couple to bring it to life with their own decorating style.



This home boasts not just 5-bedrooms but it has a sitting area upstairs off of the master bedroom and it has an office downstairs. Lots of space at a great monthly rental price.



This wonderful home is getting remodeled by the owner as you'll see in the video. This  home has some great views from the bedrooms and is located in a nice and quiet Ecuadorian neighborhood.



For more information about this rental and to view more photos of this home go to $300 Dollar Cuenca Rentals. Video tour below. Enjoy!



                     

Why We Should Stop Comparing North America with South America

The biggest mistake foreigners make when moving to a new country is making comparisons.  We should not bring our first world ideals and standards to a third world country. However, many of us do just that by our approach to things and our mannerisms. 



Real life examples in a moment.
 

We have all said and done things that have made the locals feel a bit resentful. We don’t realize we’re doing it, but when we say how cheap things are, or when we smirk and giggle at some of the prices for things, we are essentially saying, “I can afford this and live better than you (the locals) because my money will go further in your country."
 

Cheap is Subjective
 

Why would it spur resentment? Well, for one thing the same things we think are cheap ARE NOT cheap to the locals. We still have to remind ourselves of this. But many tourists and newcomers to Cuenca play the comparison game in front of the locals and it causes offense and the consequences are higher prices to the gringos on every thing!
 

There are a hundred reasons why we should work at blending in wherever we live and not make the local people envious and jealous of our lifestyle. The minute we decide to make Ecuador our home is the minute we need to begin to accept and or tolerate everything about the city we live in as a part of our new lifestyle. 
 

Third World vs. First World
 

I know, I know this can be difficult, especially if you are new here and see things that are offensive, different, or not how you would do them back home. But we have to get over the differences.  I still see local adult men peeing in public, men pooping in the river, electronics are still over-priced, Internet is still not that great, and the weather is still perfectly cold and damp to me, spring-like all year long, but we’ve gotten over all that and have adapted to the differences…and we hope that if you plan on living here full time that you will also adapt.
 

Be Careful with Your Emotions about Prices
 

Comparing prices is not all what it’s cracked up to be. When we first moved here one of our sons smirked and gasped at the price of a sweet pastry in one of the bakeries, and for good reason, this homemade pastry was big, it was chocolaty, with something creamy in the middle and it was very eye appealing and when we asked the price she said it was only $0.13 cents!  
 

Well, wouldn’t you know it, a few days later we went back to that same bakery and they inflated the price to $0.25 cents…all because of a smirk and a giggle amongst ourselves. The girls working behind the counter probably decided at that moment to double the price on the gringos and continue to charge the locals $0.13 cents. 
 

Now when we are confronted with a price that seems to us outrageously low we just accept it, after all we live here as the locals do and that is when you would hope to see the end to gringo price gouging.  However, everything is going up because of the huge amount of foreigners visiting and moving to Cuenca.
 

What a Cuenca Rental is REALLY Worth
 

Now in the above experience we were just talking small change, but it is the same way when people rent the homes that are knocked out of the local ball-park range when they should be rented at the local price range! 
 

Case in point: we have been working with a local landlord to keep the price of her furnished rental at $400 a month tops as she had been talking about higher and higher rental amounts, and we had initially started out at $350 when we first met her. 
  

She called me one day and told me she wanted $450 for the rental from then on.  We decided we would no longer call her.  (this is part of the negotiation and keeping rentals priced right) After about six months that she did not hear from us, she called to check in.  I told her I didn’t have anyone interested at $450.  She agreed to lower the rent back to $400, telling me however that one of her tenants was in fact paying the $450.
 

When I brought her the rent, she made a point of explaining that the Canadian living in her other rental that was paying $450 had gone around to look at other rentals, and had told her that he liked her rental best for appearance and price wise. 



You see, that just reinforced in her mind that she can raise the rent to $450 and by sharing this real life example with me, she was saying that I should put it out at $450.  And this just because one expat decided $450 was ok to him and bragged about it to the landlord.  



This is how we unknowingly cause higher prices by our attitudes.  We are no longer shopping at WalMart or Publix or Albertsons.  We need to remember how our actions come back to us and everyone else for that matter.
 

Now, we understand that most new-comers to Cuenca don’t know exactly what the price of a rental should be but they shouldn’t rent a place just because it is less than what they were paying for rent in the states. Instead, they should learn to negotiate, and investigate further.  The DIY Cuenca Landing Guide goes into more detail on this.
 

We’ve been working the local rental markets since we’ve lived here and we know what a house, apartment, or condo should REALLY rent for, and we pass that information onto you so that we can all make an effort to keep prices fair for everyone.  But we can’t do it alone!



Remember, there’s always someone richer than you that will think a rent price much higher than what you’re paying, is ‘cheap’. Bottom line is we should remember to never compare North America with South America in any fashion about any matter because there is NO COMPARISON. In fact we do everyone, including ourselves a BIG disservice when we compare.

For Rent Furnished Apartment for $400 in Great Neighborhood of Cuenca!

As most of our long time readers know we focus on getting the best rental deals and this is one of them. This beautiful apartment is in a good location not far from El Centro, in fact, it is just a five minute bus ride or a 15-minute walk (walking slow) to the center of town! The apartment has everything you'll need to be comfortable and Internet WIFI is included in the price.  As you'll see in the video tour, the apartment is nicely furnished/decorated and there is a washer machine on the premises for you to do your laundry,  and the apartment has cable television. Contact us if you are ready to rent because this one will not last long.  

This apartment has been rented!! 

             

Big $280 Rental Home in Cuenca Ecuador

This is a photo tour of a rental home in Cuenca Ecuador. The home sits on the outskirts of Cuenca and is about 7 blocks to the bus line. Because this house is outside of the city a little ways it does have a bigger yard than most of the postage stamp yards we see.